Last week, I had the opportunity to listen to Ana Maria Brânză, Romanian fencer and decorated European champion and Olympian, speak about the power of not giving up and the significance of having a team.
Ana Maria’s journey in sports is incredible. Initially encouraged by her parents to play tennis, she quit after a year due to limited opportunities as a left-handed player. At age ten, her brother Marius introduced her to fencing at his football club, where she chose épée as it was the only left-handed option. Remarkably, she became the Romanian champion in her age group within six months. As she honed her skills, Ana Maria gained recognition in national and international tournaments, establishing herself in women’s foil. She excelled in the Olympics, winning silver medals in Beijing (2008) and Tokyo (2020) and a gold medal in team épée at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics (2016).
One of the first points that Ana Maria addressed in her speech was the importance of your team: “No matter how ambitious, hardworking, and dedicated you are, even in individual sports, you will never become a champion without a team.” This prompted a reflective examination of my professional trajectory and the diverse array of industries and organizations with which I have been affiliated. In most of corporate America, there is a lack of emphasis on teams. The culture tends to be very much about survival of the fittest, and frequently, you may perceive your coworkers as competition; people that you have to outperform to achieve the next raise, promotion, or title. Even in an organization with the most deliberate and innovative mission statement and values, the power of team falls flat.
In an era where numerous individuals are required to return to the office, fostering a strong sense of teamwork is more crucial than ever. What steps can we take to transition from working in isolation at home to collaborating effectively once again? For one, a company’s culture should transition from focusing on individuals to prioritizing efficient and productive teamwork. We’ve all heard the timeless saying, “There’s no ‘I’ in team.” This is a key reminder to prioritize the collective good and focus on collaboration. This principle should be embraced by leadership and stakeholders alike, allowing teams to set aside personal ambitions and egos in pursuit of their shared goals. Importantly, this mentality needs to be modeled from the top. When leaders demonstrate the effectiveness of working together it reinforces the organization’s values and vision. It helps ensure that everyone is aligned and working towards the same objectives, which can drive overall success.
There’s no “I” in team
Our corporate counterparts in Europe have widely embraced a collaborative working style that prioritizes egalitarianism and consensus-based decision-making. In many European organizations, there is a distinct cultural emphasis on involving team members at all levels in the decision-making process, fostering an environment where diverse perspectives are valued and heard. In her book The Culture Map, author Erin Meyer shares a revealing example from a Swedish firm that highlights the cultural differences between Swedish and American work styles. One Swedish employee expressed frustration regarding the American approach to teamwork. He observed that Americans often seemed “too busy” to engage fully as collaborative team members. This hurried mindset led to a tendency for Americans to make decisions unilaterally, often imposing these choices without seeking the vital input of others. As a result, team members felt disconnected and disengaged, lacking the sense of ownership and buy-in that is crucial for effective collaboration.
Creating a team goes beyond simply placing individuals in a room and expecting them to work collaboratively. It requires trust, transparent communication, and active listening to foster effective teamwork. Collaboration also demands psychological safety, where team members feel encouraged and confident to disagree with the consensus of the group and speak up without fear of retribution. When every team member’s voice is heard, decisions are made more efficiently, furthermore, it nurtures trust and respect, resulting in a more effective and harmonious workplace.
“A team is not a group of people who work together, it is a group of people who trust each other.”
Simon Sinek
Ana Maria Brânză emphasized the significance of each individual and every voice within the team: “The lady who gave me breakfast at the training camp, and even the driver who went with us to competitions when I was a Junior, you need all of these people to succeed.” The journey to success within organizations, much like the path to becoming a champion in sports, is inherently a collaborative effort. While individual ambition, hard work, and dedication are crucial for personal achievement, the support and cooperation fostered through teamwork are equally vital. When colleagues engage in meaningful dialogue and practice active listening, and when teams challenge and inspire one another, they foster an environment where everyone can thrive. Ultimately, it is this collective spirit and the power of team that propels organizations toward greatness, underscoring the essential role of collaboration in achieving shared goals and fostering a culture of success.
Run. Sip. Serve. 